A new family of mathematical models describing the human growth curve

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Abstract
A new family of mathematical functions to fit longitudinal growth data was described. All members derive from the differential equation dh/dt = s(t) .cntdot. (h1 - h) where h1 is adult size and s(t) is a function of time. The form of s(t) is given by one of many functions, all solutions of differential equations, thus generating a family of different models. Three versions were compared and all were superior to previously described models. Model 1, in which s(t) was defined by ds/dt = (s1 - s) (s - s0) was especially accurate and robust, containing only 5 parameters to describe growth in stature from age 2 yr to maturity. Derived biological parameters such as peak height velocity were very consistent between these 3 members of the family but, in some cases, differed significantly from previous estimates.